What Is Suspense Authors attempt to build suspense

What Is Suspense? Authors attempt to build suspense in stories to try to have a particular effect on their readers… When reading stories that include suspense and mystery, readers can feel: • • • scared or frightened; worried or anxious; excited or thrilled; goosebumps or shivers; concerned as to what might happen next; keen to read on! Compare it

back How to Create Suspense? Here is a short piece of suspense writing. Read through it and think about what makes you feel suspenseful and tense whilst reading it. She arrived at the door. It went cold. Her skin tightened. Her eyes were wide. Her palms were sweaty. The trees were like dark giants of impending doom looming over her with many reaching arms. The rustling was loud, the smell was damp. She lifted her hand to knock on the door, but before she could touch it, it creaked open… next Identify three features that make this piece have suspense and mystery within it. Think about it Compare it Some of the features are: • • simile and metaphor; the use of ellipsis; short, snappy sentences; using sentences that appeal to the senses.

back How Do the Features Help Build Suspense? next Think about each of the features and why they help create suspense, mystery and tension. Then, compare your thoughts. simile and metaphor Similes and metaphors add further description, which helps the Compare it reader to paint a detailed picture in their mind. use of ellipsis Ellipsis shows a long pause, which can be used as a cliff hanger so the reader wonders ‘what happens next? ’ It also shows pauses in the middle Compare it of action to create a sense of hesitation about the outcome. If you were writing about a TV talent show result, you would use … a lot! • short, snappy sentences Short sentences are read quickly, one after the other so that the pace of the story quickens. It Compare almost makesitthe reader feel like they are panicking or breathing more quickly. • using sentences that appeal to the senses Using the senses gives a more detailed point of view of a situation. It brings the reader into the Compare it story by feeding their imaginations. • •

back How Do the Professionals Do It? next Professional writers create suspense in much the same way as we have discussed. Click on the link below to see an interview with author, Malorie Blackman, about how she creates suspense in her mystery stories. Watch it